Spacer device for a grinding roller

ABSTRACT

A spacer device for a grinding roller, in particular of a grinding machine, including a main body to which at least two rolling bodies are rotatably mounted and wherein the spacer device can be supported by way of the at least two rolling bodies against a surface to be ground during a grinding process. At least one fixing device is arranged, preferably centrally, between the at least two rolling bodies and with which the grinding roller can be preferably releasably fixed to the spacer device. Furthermore, an adjusting device allows the grinding roller in a state of being fixed to the spacer device to be adjustable relative to the main body and/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a spacer device for a grinding roller, inparticular of a grinding machine. In addition the invention concerns anarrangement comprising at least one such spacer device and a grindingroller, wherein the at least one grinding roller is or can be fixed tothe at least one spacer device by way of the at least one fixing device.Furthermore, the invention concerns a grinding machine comprising atleast one such arrangement and a drive device and/or a guide device,wherein a radial spacing of the at least one grinding roller relative tothe main body and/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies isadjustable by the adjusting device of the at least one spacer device.The invention also concerns the use of such a grinding machine and/orsuch an arrangement.

In regard to grinding machines and grinding rollers which are known forexample from WO 2021/007603 A1 or WO 2017/143370 A1 precise andunvarying adjustment of a spacing of the grinding roller relative to aworkpiece to be worked is essential in order to be able efficiently toachieve high quality of the workpiece to be worked. In practice, that isnot possible to an adequate degree, in which case in particular comfortin handling the grinding machine/grinding roller when dealing with largeworkpieces, heavy grinding machines/grinding rollers and possibly curvedsurfaces of the workpieces is imperative for careful treatment of anoperator of the grinding roller.

A grinding machine having a grinding brush with radial adjustability isalready known from EP 2 206 580 A2 in which to mount a grinding brushthere is provided a carriage-like device having wheels. A manuallyactuable guide device in the form of a height-adjustable push rod isprovided for an advance movement of the grinding brush, wherein runnerwheels can be provided at the side of the carriage-like device, thatfaces away from the grinding brush, the carriage-like device beingintended to maintain an unvarying spacing of the grinding brush relativeto a floor surface when the grinding brush is correctly pivoted aroundthe runner wheels. Near the grinding brush a guide wheel can be used, byway of which a height of the grinding brush above the floor surface isadjustable during application of fluid by bearing down on the guidewheel. In that arrangement the guide wheel can be raised or lowered byway of an adjusting device. Finally abrasive removal on the part of thegrinding brush is adjusted by way of a pressing pressure applied by anoperator.

A disadvantage with the state of the art is that the carriage-likedevice in combination with the push rod is uncomfortable, in particularin relation to curved surfaces to be worked, as the angle of the pushrod relative to the grinding roller over a geometrical configuration ofthe surface changes in an adverse fashion and as a result thetransmission of force by the operator is inefficient. In addition theheight adjustment of the push rod is only limitedly user-friendly, inparticular as, by virtue of the parameters: the pressing pressureapplied to the grinding roller, the pivotal position of thecarriage-like device and the large number of degrees of freedom in theheight adjustment of the individual wheels, spacing of the grindingroller from the surface is time-consuming by virtue of the amount ofadjustment steps required. In addition the structural configuration andarrangement of the runner wheels does not afford a defined heightadjustment of the grinding roller, which permits a spacing of thegrinding roller that is constant during operation, with the pressingpressure remaining the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical object of the present invention is therefore that ofproviding a spacer device which is improved over the state of the art,an arrangement comprising the spacer device and a grinding roller and agrinding machine, in which the disadvantages of the state of the art areat least partially overcome and which are distinguished in particular bysimple adjustment of the spacing of the grinding roller relative to thespacer device in order to be able to ensure a constant spacing and aconstant pressing pressure in respect of the grinding roller withvarying pivotal positions of the grinding machine.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, at least one fixing device isarranged, preferably centrally, between the at least two rolling bodiesand with which the grinding roller can be preferably releasably fixed tothe spacer device. In addition, at least one adjusting device with whichthe grinding roller in a state of being fixed to the spacer device isadjustable relative to the main body and/or at least one of the at leasttwo rolling bodies.

That makes it possible for the first time that adjustment of the spacingof the grinding roller relative to the spacer device generates a definedspacing of the grinding roller relative to a surface of a workpiece,which permits an unvarying pressing pressure in respect of the grindingroller and in relation to different pivotal positions of the at leastone fixing device as the interface between the grinding roller and thespacer device relative to the main body—for example when processingcurved surfaces of a workpiece—automatically permits a spacing whichremains constant.

The spacer device can be used in relation to planar, convex or concavesurfaces, in which respect grinding roller is to be interpretedsufficiently widely that brush grinding rollers, grinding rollers withseparate grinding rollers, grinding rolllers with grinding segments andthe like are embraced.

As stated in the opening part of this specification, protection is alsosought for an arrangement comprising at least one such spacer device andat least one grinding roller, wherein the at least one grinding rolleris or can be fixed to the at least one spacer device by way of the atleast one fixing device.

As stated in the opening part of this specification, protection is alsosought for a grinding machine comprising at least one such arrangementand a drive device and/or guide device, wherein a radial spacing of theat least one grinding roller relative to the main body and/or at leastone of the at least two rolling bodies is adjustable by the adjustingdevice of the at least one spacer device.

If an axis of rotation of the grinding roller at different heightwisesettings of the grinding roller remains substantially identical to ajoint axis of the spacer device then the grinding machine can be movedand/or pivoted flexibly in space, wherein a uniform spacing relative tothe workpiece is always made possible by contacting of the rollingbodies with the surface.

As stated in the opening part of this specification, protection is alsosought for use of such a grinding machine and/or such an arrangement forprocessing a surface of a workpiece, that is preferably coated with acoating for protection from environmental influences, wherein it ispreferably provided that at least one region of the workpiece, thatadjoins the surface to be worked, comprises a carbon fiber and/or glassfiber composite material or a preferably wax-coated surface of anegative form for the production of a workpiece which preferably atleast region-wise comprises a carbon fiber and/or glass fiber compositematerial.

According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, thegrinding roller in the state of being fixed to the spacer device isrotatable relative to the main body about a joint axis of the spacerdevice, and the joint axis is substantially congruent with an axis ofrotation of the grinding roller.

In the state of the art, the spacing of the grinding roller is dependenton the pressing pressure, the pivotal position and the orientation ofthe grinding machine. Advantageously, by virtue of the at leastsubstantially coincident axes, the spacing or the pressing pressure ofthe grinding roller from the workpiece is not altered upon a pivotalmovement of the at least one fixing device whereby comfort in terms ofhandling the grinding roller/grinding machine is significantly enhanced,in particular in relation to curved surfaces or heavy components.

Advantageously, the grinding roller in the state of being fixed to thespacer device is axially spaced from the adjusting device, wherein apivot axis of the at least one fixing device with respect to theadjusting device is substantially congruent with an axis of rotation ofthe grinding roller.

It has proven to be advantageous if the main body is arranged spacedradially from an axis of rotation of the grinding roller in the state ofthe grinding roller of being fixed to the spacer device.

The radial spacing can be defined in user-friendly fashion by way of theadjusting device. An axial spacing between the grinding roller and themain body can be defined for example by way of the at least one fixingdevice.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is providedthat the main body has at least two mutually spatially separate rollingbody receiving means, between which the at least one fixing device isarranged.

With at least two rolling bodies a tilting movement with a change linkedthereto in the spacing (as would be the case for example with only onewheel) is prevented. The at least two rolling body receiving means canbe generally designed to follow a contour of the workpiece to be workedor a grinding roller geometry or independently thereof.

It has proven to be advantageous if the adjusting device includes themain body and an adjustment apparatus which can be releasably fixed tothe main body and/or which is preferably laterally displaceable. Themain body has a receiving means for at least region-wise arrangement ofthe adjustment apparatus within the receiving means, and preferablyarranged on the main body and/or the adjustment apparatus is a scale forindicating a spacing of the grinding roller relative to the main bodyand/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies.

The adjustment apparatus preferably includes the joint axis about whichthe grinding roller is pivotable together with the fixing device,wherein the axis of rotation of the grinding roller preferably remainscongruent with the joint axis or the pivot axis. The adjustmentapparatus however can generally also be connected in material-bondedrelationship to the main body, wherein the adjusting device can beformed from the main body and the at least one fixing device to bejoined thereto.

An advantageous variant provides that the at least one fixing device isarranged, preferably by way of a fixing means, directly hingedly to theadjustment apparatus and/or indirectly by way of the adjustmentapparatus to the main body.

Particularly preferably, the adjusting device, preferably the main bodyand/or an adjustment apparatus which is possibly present has at leastone and preferably precisely two longitudinal grooves which are arrangedparallel to each other and/or at least one guide rail, by way of whichthe grinding roller in the state of being fixed to the spacer device isadjustable relative to the main body and/or at least one of the at leasttwo rolling bodies, preferably by way of the adjustment apparatus whichis possibly provided.

By way of securing of the at least one fixing device along the at leastone longitudinal groove and/or at least one guide rail a spacing of thegrinding roller relative to the main body or rolling body can beparticularly advantageously adjusted. Other adjustment options (andassociated fixing options) are also conceivable.

In an embodiment of the invention, the adjusting device has at least onefixing means, preferably a screw connection and/or clamping connectionfor fixing a radial spacing of the main body and/or at least one of theat least two rolling bodies from the grinding roller in the state of thegrinding roller of being fixed to the spacer device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the main body hasat least one curvature portion and there are provided at least threerolling bodies, preferably at least five rolling bodies, wherein the atleast three rolling bodies are arranged at the at least one curvatureportion.

Particularly, when a curvature of the curvature portion or a curvaturesub-portion is adapted to a grinding roller diameter with a desiredspacing then upon a pivotal movement of the grinding machine thepressing pressure and the spacing of the grinding roller relative to theworkpiece can be kept constant. The grinding roller can be supported ondifferent rolling bodies for example upon a pivotal movement. Thecurvature portion is particularly preferably convex.

It has proven to be desirable in the arrangement that a radial spacingof the at least one grinding roller relative to the at least one mainbody and/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies isadjustable by the at least one adjusting device, preferably by way of alateral and relative movement of the at least one grinding roller withrespect to the at least one main body and/or at least one of the atleast two rolling bodies.

It is further preferable that the at least one fixing device has atleast two mutually spatially spaced mounting devices to which the atleast one grinding roller is or can be axially fixed.

The at least two mounting devices provide that, for example, a change ofgrinding rollers of different grinding roller diameters can beparticularly efficiently implemented, in which case a spacing of thefreshly fitted grinding roller possibly does not have to be adapted bythe adjusting device. The axis of rotation can be brought together withthe joint axis in a particularly favored fashion.

In a further embodiment, the at least one grinding roller includes arotatable roller body and at least one grinding element, whereinprecisely two spacer devices are arranged on the roller body in theaxial direction.

The possibility of lateral tilting of the grinding roller relative tothe workpiece is obviated by two spacer devices.

According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, a jointaxis, by way of which the roller body is or can be pivotably arranged onthe spacer device is substantially congruent with an axis of rotation ofthe roller body.

In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the at least onegrinding roller is in the form of a brush grinding roller and/or in theform of a grinding roller with abrasive grinding elements separate froma roller body. The spacer device is generally to be used at any grindingrollers.

It is advantageously provided that the grinding machine is configured sothat an axis of rotation of the at least one grinding roller upon apivotal movement of the at least one fixing device at which the at leastone grinding machine is arranged relative to the at least one main bodyby the guide device is substantially congruent relative to a joint axisof the spacer device.

For example, in the case of an arrangement of axis of rotation, jointaxis and/or pivot axis, which is substantially parallel and/orcongruent, a spacing of the grinding roller relative to the workpieceupon pivotal movement of the grinding machine with fixing devicesconnected thereto can be kept constant whereby the pressing pressure ofthe grinding roller on the workpiece can also be kept constant. A changein spacing and/or pressure is possible in user-friendly fashion by wayof the adjusting device in any pivotal position of the grinding machine.

It has proven to be advantageous if a transport device, preferablyhaving two transport wheels, is arranged at the grinding machine.

The grinding machine can be maneuvered by the transport device prior toand/or after an abrasive machining operation, for example for storage.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is providedthat the grinding machine includes a compressed air drive, a suctionremoval means and/or a fluid feed device.

The compressed air drive is particularly preferably provided in order todisplace the at least one grinding roller in rotation relative to theworkpiece. In general the compressed air drive is not provided for anadvance movement relative to the workpiece. As an alternative to orsupplemental to a manual push rod it is possible for example to providea fully automatic or semi-automatic advance device for moving the atleast one grinding roller along the workpiece.

A suction removal means reduces the generation of dirt adjoining thegrinding roller. The fluid feed device can provide for an improvement inthe grinding result.

It has proven to be advantageous if the workpiece is in the form of anairfoil or fuselage of an aircraft, parts of a ship, parts of a train orin the form of a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The spacer device is tobe used in particularly favorable fashion in particular in relation toconvex and/or concave workpieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details and advantages of the present invention are set forthmore fully hereinafter by means of the description of the drawings withreference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a spacer device according to a particularly preferredembodiment for fixing to a grinding roller or grinding machine in threeorthogonal views and a perspective view,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front and a view from below of amain body of the spacer device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3a-3c show an adjusting device, a rolling body and a fixing deviceof the spacer device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ineach case as a perspective view,

FIGS. 4a-4c show a grinding roller in preferred embodiments withoutgrinding elements, with separate grinding elements and in the form of agrinding brush for connection to a spacer device as shown in FIG. 1 orFIG. 6 b,

FIG. 5 shows a grinding machine according to a particularly preferredembodiment with a grinding roller for connection to a spacer device asshown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 6b , and

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a spacer device according to a further particularlypreferred embodiment in a double configuration connected to a grindingroller as a view from the front and a view from the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a spacer device 1 for a grinding roller 2 of a grindingmachine 3 including a main body 4, to which two rolling bodies 5 arerotatably mounted. The spacer device can be supported on a surface 6 tobe ground by way of the two rolling bodies 5 during a grinding process(see FIG. 6a ).

Arranged centrally between the two rolling bodies 5 is a fixing device 7with which the grinding roller 2 can be releasably fixed to the spacerdevice 1. There is provided an adjusting device 8, with which thegrinding roller 2 is adjustable relative to the main body 4 and the tworolling bodies 5 in a state of being fixed to the spacer device 1. Thefixing device 7 is pivotable with respect to the main body about a jointaxis 9 that is identical to the pivot axis 11.

The main body 4 has two mutually spatially separate rolling bodyreceiving means 12, between which the fixing device 7 is arranged. Thenumber of rolling body receiving means 12 and rolling bodies 5 cangenerally be any desired number; according to the invention howeverthere are at least two rolling bodies 5.

FIG. 2 shows the main body 4 of the spacer device 1. The adjustingdevice 8 is preferably formed by the main body 4 in combination with aseparate adjustment apparatus 13. In general however the adjustingdevice 8 can also be formed in one piece by an adjustment apparatus 13connected to the main body 4 in material-bonded relationship (see FIG.6b ), wherein a defined spacing of the grinding roller 2 can begenerated by a suitable fixing means like a clamping connection and/or ascrew connection in conjunction with the fixing device 7 or directlywith the grinding roller 2.

The adjusting device 8 has two longitudinal grooves 17 which arearranged parallel to each other on the main body 4 and by way of whichthe grinding roller 2 in the state of being fixed to the spacer device 1is adjustable relative to the main body 4 and the rolling bodies 5 byway of the adjustment apparatus 13. The number of longitudinal grooves17 and the orientation thereof can generally be as desired.

The adjusting device 8 in this embodiment of the spacer device 1includes the main body 4 and the adjustment apparatus 13 which can bereleasably fixed to the main body 4 and is laterally displaceable,wherein the main body 4 has a receiving means 14 for region-wisearrangement of the adjustment apparatus 13 within the receiving means14. The adjustment apparatus 13 is arranged completely in the receivingmeans 14 in the lateral direction of the spacer device 1, the adjustmentapparatus 13 projecting upwardly beyond the main body 4 in the positionof use.

The adjustment apparatus 13 is displaceable in the receiving means 14 inbilateral relationship freely for adjustment purposes.

Arranged on the main body 4 is a scale 15 with a marking to illustrate aspacing of the grinding roller 2 relative to the main body 4 and therolling bodies 5. The scale 15 can be applied generally by glueing,painting, engraving, carving and so forth or can be in the form ofraised portions or the like.

FIG. 3a shows the adjustment apparatus 13 of the adjusting device 8 witha fixing means 16 in the form of a screw connection for fixing a radialspacing of the main body 4 and the rolling bodies 5 from the grindingroller 2 in the state of the grinding roller 2 being fixed on the spacerdevice 1. The fixing means 16 can be of generally any kind and forexample can also be in the form of a clamping connection to fix theradial spacing.

The fixing means 16 are introduced into at least one of the twoopenings, wherein the adjustment apparatus 13 can generally alsoalternatively (see FIG. 6b ) or additionally have longitudinal grooves17 for securing the radial spacing relative to the spacer device 1.

It can generally also be provided that alternatively or additionally tothe scale 15 of the main body 4 a scale 15 is arranged on the adjustmentapparatus 13 or the fixing device 7.

FIG. 3b shows a rolling body 5 in the form of a wheel. The rolling body5 can be of generally any desired configuration. For example thearrangement may have barrel-shaped roller bodies (see FIG. 6b ) and/oroblate ellipsoidal shapes as the rolling bodies 5 (those shown). Theinvention however is not restricted to the geometry of the rollingbodies.

FIG. 3c shows the fixing device 7 of the spacer device 1 for connectionof the grinding roller 2, wherein the fixing device 7 is arranged by wayof a fixing means 16 directly hingedly to the adjustment apparatus 13and indirectly by way of the adjustment apparatus 13 to the main body 4.In general however the grinding roller 2 can also be directly connectedto the adjustment apparatus 13 of the spacer device 1, in which case thefixing device 7 that is separate from the adjustment apparatus 13 can beomitted.

The fixing device 7 has three mutually spatially spaced mounting devices20, to which the grinding roller 2 can be fixed in the axial direction.

FIG. 4a shows a rotatable rolling body 21 of a grinding roller 2, onwhich grinding elements 22 of the most widely varying kind can bearranged in grooves. The grooves are in the form of dovetail grooves andare provided inclinedly over an axial extent of the rolling body 21, butthat is generally not compellingly required. The inclined positioning ofthe grooves affords an improvement in the grinding result and thedovetail grooves establish a firm fit for the grinding elements 22 onthe rolling body 21.

FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of the grinding roller 2 in the form of agrinding roller 2 with abrasive grinding elements 22 which are separatefrom the rolling body 21 and which are arranged in grooves. The grindingelements 22 disposed in the grooves in the grinding roller include acarrier body and a flexible intermediate layer, on which grinding agentis applied.

FIG. 4c shows an embodiment of the grinding roller 2, the grindingroller 2 being in the form of a brush grinding roller 23. Brush bristlesare connected releasably to the rolling body 21 at the periphery on therolling body 21. In general however a brush grinding roller 23 can alsobe provided with non-detachable brush bristles.

FIG. 5 shows a grinding machine 3 with a grinding roller 2, wherein anarrangement comprising the grinding roller 2 with the spacer device 1can be arranged axially on the grinding machine 3. The spacer device 1can be mounted in the axial direction to the grinding roller 2.

The grinding machine 3 has a guide device 25 as a drive device 24 in theform of a push rod for manual driving of the grinding machine 3. As analternative to or supplemental to the guide device 25 the drive device24 can be in the form of a semi-automatic or fully automatic advancedevice—arranged for example on a housing of the grinding machine 3—. Itis also conceivable not to involve a guide device 25 and only to providefor a forward movement of the grinding roller 2 by way of an automaticdrive device 24. It is particularly preferably provided that there is noadvance device and the grinding machine 3 is moved by way of the guidedevice 25.

The grinding machine 3 has a compressed air drive 28 to drive thegrinding roller 2 in rotation. The compressed air drive 28 can bearranged for example by way of a compressed air connection on the spacerdevice 1 and/or the housing of the grinding machine 3.

The grinding machine 3 has a suction removal means 29 for the removal ofdust or fluid during operation. The grinding machine 3 includes a fluidfeed device 30 for applying grinding fluid to a surface 6 of a workpiece32, that is to be processed, a coating 31 of the surface 6 and/or thegrinding elements 22 of the grinding roller 2.

A relative spacing of the grinding roller 2 relative to the main body 4or a rolling body 5 of the spacer device 1 can be adjusted by theadjusting device 8 of the spacer device or devices 1 to be fitted.Particularly preferably there are provided two axially and oppositelydisposed spacer devices 1.

The grinding machine 3 is provided with a transport device 26, whereintwo transport wheels 27 are arranged on the transport device 26 in orderto manoeuvre the grinding machine 3 for example aside from operationwith a constant spacing of the grinding roller 2 for the purposes oftransporting the grinding machine 3.

In a state of being fixed to the spacer device 1 the grinding roller 2is rotatable about a joint axis 9 of the spacer device 1 relative to themain body 4, the joint axis 9 being substantially congruent with theaxis of rotation 10 of the grinding roller 2. A pivot axis 11 of thefixing device 7 is substantially congruent with the axis of rotation 10of the grinding roller 2 in the position of use with respect to theadjusting device 8.

The grinding machine 3 is of such a configuration that an axis ofrotation 10 of the grinding roller 2, in a pivotal movement of thefixing device 7 at which the grinding machine 3 is arranged, relative tothe main body 4 of the spacer device 1—caused by a rotation of the guidedevice 25 about the axis of rotation 10 and a joint axis 9 of the spacerdevice 1—remains substantially congruent with respect to the joint axis9 of the spacer device 1. The joint axis 9 is particularly preferablyassociated with the adjustment apparatus 13 or the fixing device 7arranged thereon (pivot axis 11).

FIG. 6a shows a grinding roller 2, wherein arranged on the roller body21 in the axial direction there are precisely two spacer devices 1 whichdiffer in the geometrical configuration thereof from the spacer device 1shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively two spacer devices 1 as shown in FIG. 1can be arranged on the grinding roller 2.

In the state of being fixed to the spacer device 1 the grinding roller 2is spaced axially from the adjusting device 8 by the fixing device 7.The main body 4 is arranged spaced from an axis of rotation 10 of thegrinding roller 2 in the state of the grinding roller 2 of being fixedto the spacer device 1, in dependence on a setting of the adjustingdevice 8.

A joint axis 9 of the spacer device 1, by way of which the roller body21 can be arranged pivotably on the spacer device 1, is substantiallycongruent with the axis of rotation 10 of the roller body 21.

The grinding machine 3 and the arrangement comprising grinding roller 2and spacer device 1 can be used for processing a surface 6 of aworkpiece 32, that is coated with a coating 31 to protect it fromenvironmental influences, wherein at least one region of the workpiece32, that adjoins the surface 6 to be processed, comprises a carbon fiberand/or glass fiber composite material. Use in relation to a wax-coatedsurface 6 of a negative form for production of the workpiece 32 which atleast region-wise comprises a carbon fiber and/or glass fiber compositematerial is also possible. Use on a workpiece 32 without a coating isalso possible.

The workpiece 32 is preferably in the form of an airfoil or fuselage ofan aircraft, parts of a ship, parts of a train or as the rotor blade ofa wind turbine.

FIG. 6b shows a view from the side of the main body 4 in material-bondedrelationship with the adjusting device 8. The main body 4 has acurvature portion 19, on which a plurality of rolling bodies 5 arearranged. There can be generally any number of curvature portions 19.The curvature portion or portions 19 can be adapted to the geometry ofthe grinding roller 2.

The adjusting device 8 has two mutually parallel guide rails 18, by wayof which the grinding roller 2 in the state of being fixed to the spacerdevice 1 is adjustable relative to the main body 4 and the rollingbodies 5 by way of a displacement of the fixing device relative to themain body 4. Fixing of the spacing can be effected by fixing means, forexample by way of a connection to the fixing device 7.

The view shows an arrangement comprising the spacer device 1 and thegrinding roller 2, with the grinding roller 2 being fixed to the spacerdevice 1 by way of the fixing device 7.

A radial spacing of the grinding roller 2 relative to the main body 4and the rolling bodies 5 is adjustable by the adjusting device 8, by wayof a lateral and relative movement of the grinding roller 2 with respectto the main body 4 or the rolling bodies 5.

1. A spacer device for a grinding roller, in particular of a grindingmachine, including a main body to which at least two rolling bodies arerotatably mounted and wherein the spacer device can be supported by wayof the at least two rolling bodies against a surface to be ground duringa grinding process, wherein there is provided at least one fixing devicewhich is arranged, preferably centrally, between the at least tworolling bodies and with which the grinding roller can be preferablyreleasably fixed to the spacer device and that there is provided atleast one adjusting device with which the grinding roller in a state ofbeing fixed to the spacer device is adjustable relative to the main bodyand/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies.
 2. The spacerdevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grinding roller in the stateof being fixed to the spacer device is rotatable relative to the mainbody about a joint axis of the spacer device, wherein the joint axis issubstantially congruent with an axis of rotation of the grinding roller.3. The spacer device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grindingroller in the state of being fixed to the spacer device is axiallyspaced from the adjusting device, wherein a pivot axis of the at leastone fixing device with respect to the adjusting device is substantiallycongruent with an axis of rotation of the grinding roller.
 4. The spacerdevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main body is arranged spacedradially from an axis of rotation of the grinding roller in the state ofthe grinding roller of being fixed to the spacer device.
 5. The spacerdevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main body has at least twomutually spatially separate rolling body receiving means, between whichthe at least one fixing device is arranged.
 6. The spacer device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the adjusting device includes the main bodyand an adjustment apparatus which can be releasably fixed to the mainbody and/or which is preferably laterally displaceable, wherein the mainbody has a receiving means for at least region-wise arrangement of theadjustment apparatus within the receiving means, wherein it ispreferably provided that arranged on the main body and/or the adjustmentapparatus is a scale for indicating a spacing of the grinding rollerrelative to the main body and/or at least one of the at least tworolling bodies.
 7. The spacer device as set forth in claim 6, whereinthe at least one fixing device is arranged, preferably by way of afixing means, directly hingedly to the adjustment apparatus and/orindirectly by way of the adjustment apparatus to the main body.
 8. Thespacer device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjusting device,preferably the main body and/or an adjustment apparatus which ispossibly present has at least one and preferably precisely twolongitudinal grooves which are arranged parallel to each other and/or atleast one guide rail, by way of which the grinding roller in the stateof being fixed to the spacer device is adjustable relative to the mainbody and/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies, preferablyby way of the adjustment apparatus which is possibly provided.
 9. Thespacer device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjusting device hasat least one fixing means, preferably a screw connection and/or clampingconnection for fixing a radial spacing of the main body and/or at leastone of the at least two rolling bodies from the grinding roller in thestate of the grinding roller of being fixed to the spacer device. 10.The spacer device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main body has atleast one curvature portion and there are provided at least threerolling bodies, preferably at least five rolling bodies, wherein the atleast three rolling bodies are arranged at the at least one curvatureportion.
 11. An arrangement comprising the spacer device as set forth inclaim 1 and at least one grinding roller, wherein the at least onegrinding roller is or can be fixed to the at least one spacer device byway of the at least one fixing device.
 12. The arrangement as set forthin claim 11, wherein a radial spacing of the at least one grindingroller relative to the at least one main body and/or at least one of theat least two rolling bodies is adjustable by the at least one adjustingdevice, preferably by way of a lateral and relative movement of the atleast one grinding roller with respect to the at least one main bodyand/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies.
 13. Thearrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one fixingdevice has at least two mutually spatially spaced mounting devices towhich the at least one grinding roller is or can be axially fixed. 14.The arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least onegrinding roller includes a rotatable roller body and at least onegrinding element, wherein precisely two spacer devices are arranged onthe roller body in the axial direction.
 15. The arrangement as set forthin claim 11, wherein a joint axis, by way of which the roller body is orcan be pivotably arranged on the spacer device is substantiallycongruent with an axis of rotation of the roller body.
 16. Thearrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one grindingroller is in the form of a brush grinding roller and/or in the form of agrinding roller with abrasive grinding elements separate from a rollerbody.
 17. A grinding machine comprising the arrangement as set forth inclaim 11 and a drive device and/or a guide device, wherein a radialspacing of the at least one grinding roller relative to the main bodyand/or at least one of the at least two rolling bodies is adjustable bythe adjusting device of the at least one spacer device.
 18. The grindingmachine as set forth in claim 17, wherein the grinding machine isconfigured so that an axis of rotation of the at least one grindingroller upon a pivotal movement of the at least one fixing device atwhich the at least one grinding machine is arranged relative to the atleast one main body by the guide device is substantially congruentrelative to a joint axis of the spacer device.
 19. The grinding machineas set forth in claim 17, wherein a transport device, preferably havingtwo transport wheels, is arranged at the grinding machine.
 20. Thegrinding machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein the grinding machineincludes a compressed air drive, a suction removal means and/or a fluidfeed device.
 21. A method of use of the grinding machine as set forth inclaim 17 for processing a surface of a workpiece, including applying acoating for protection from environmental influences, wherein at leastone region of the workpiece that adjoins the surface to be processedcomprises a carbon fiber and/or glass fiber composite material or apreferably wax-coated surface of a negative form for the production of aworkpiece which preferably at least region-wise comprises a carbon fiberand/or glass fiber composite material.
 22. The method of use as setforth in claim 21, wherein the workpiece is in the form of an airfoil orfuselage of an aircraft, parts of a ship, parts of a train or in theform of a rotor blade of a wind turbine.